Now’s the time to start developing a plan to overseed athletic fields this year. Overseeding helps ensure a safe playing surface by maintaining turf density following play. This is also a time that turf managers can introduce a new cultivar or type of grass, such as applying ryegrass into a bluegrass or bermudagrass turf stand.
Overseeding Tips
Not overseeding (or overseeding at an improper rate) can cause athletic fields to fail. The entire field should be overseeded at least once a year in the late summer. Turf managers often apply additional seed in high-traffic areas (such as the front of the mound on baseball fields, the goalmouths on soccer fields, and hash marks on football fields) to increase population density, which will help those areas withstand higher amounts of traffic.
Seed is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep fields full and coaches happy, but it’s important to use enough of it. For overseeding bermudagrass with perennial ryegrass, I recommend a minimum of 400 pounds per acre. Turf managers commonly aerate the field prior to overseeding.
Successful Germination
Following overseeding, several practices can promote successful germination. Since the field has been aerated, turf managers will drag the cores and seed in to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. At that point, a starter fertilizer can be applied, and an ATS sales representative can help with product selection.
Irrigate
It’s vital to keep the seedbed moist after overseeding to allow the seeds to germinate. Immediately following the overseeding process, begin a frequent yet light irrigation program to keep the top inch or two of overseeded soil moist. Unless it rains, turf managers should water two to four times a day until the seedlings are about two inches tall. After that, watering can be done less frequently and more deeply. Be careful not to overwater at any point in the process, because that can lead to disease and a host of other issues.
Mow
Although it may sound counterintuitive, mowing is another way to encourage seedling growth. Using sharp blades, turf managers should mow when the ground is firm and the new grass reaches the desired cutting height. Mowing frequently will help turf managers avoid cutting more than a third of the grass blade at a time. Because the growing stand will contain varying stages of development, the first mowing will probably only cut some of the plants. With each successive mowing, though, more and more of the plants will be cut, which will encourage them to mature and fill in.
For any questions about overseeding, feel free to reach out to your ATS representative.
